“Have you considered the possibility that the Demonai themselves may be to blame?” Lord Bayar asked, as if Averill were not sitting there. “Relationships with the copperheads have been strained of late. There are some who suspect that they may have had a hand in the Princess Raisa’s disappearance.”

Careful, now, Amon thought. He glanced at Averill Demonai, whose trader face slipped a little.

“That seems unlikely, sir,” Amon said, turning back to Lord Bayar. “My father and the other guards were killed with crossbow bolts and blades. Not Demonai weapons.”

“Anyone can pick up a crossbow,” Lord Bayar said.

“The strained relations you mention are a direct consequence of jinxflinger incursions into the Spirit Mountains and attacks on our upland villages,” Averill said. “While the Demonai have ample cause to move against wizards, it is difficult to fathom what motive the Demonai would have to murder Captain Byrne and his party. In fact, the Demonai honored Captain Byrne last night at Marisa Pines with a warrior service. That is extraordinarily rare, given that he was a Valesman.”

“I’ve not seen proof that wizards are responsible for the attacks you keep complaining about,” Lord Bayar said. “Nor convincing evidence that they’ve actually happened. We in the Wizard Council suspect that they are simply an excuse to continue the interdiction on flashcrafting.”

Both Averill and Bayar were like actors speaking lines for their audience and not to each other.

Lord Bayar waited, and when Averill said nothing, he changed the subject. “I think we can agree that Captain Byrne was a brave and capable commander. Still, it’s unfortunate that he left the queen unprotected, seemingly at a critical time.” Bayar straightened his stoles. “I’ve not yet heard a good explanation for his leaving court.”

Amon stiffened but, of course, had no answer for Lord Bayar, since he couldn’t very well tell the High Wizard that his father had gone south to help smuggle the princess heir back into the queendom; that Byrne had hoped Raisa’s presence would help strengthen Marianna against the influence of the High Wizard.

Averill gazed coldly at Bayar. “I have complete confidence that whatever Captain Byrne was doing, it was in service to the Gray Wolf line,” he said.

“We will probably never know exactly what happened,” Mellony said, breaking into the argument. “I’m sure this is a difficult subject for Corporal Byrne, with his father not yet buried.” She leaned forward. “I was told you had a boon to ask, Corporal Byrne. Please, speak freely.”

She’s generous, Amon thought. Now that the crown is within her grasp.

Gavan Bayar sat forward, his hand on his amulet, eyeing him like he might strike him dead if he said the wrong thing.

“I do have a request,” Amon said. “It is unusual, but I hoped that you might grant it in light of my father’s long service to Queen Marianna.”